LAWR

BRIEFING Let's unite together to spread the right message The general election is just nine months away and bin collections are likely to be a topic of national debate at some point. With this in mind, Lee Marshall explains why the resource management sector should unite together to help portray the industry in a positive light. n the waste industry there is always a lot going on but at the moment it feels like there is even more than usual. This is probably due to the recent publication of the 'Route Map' by a group of organisations, of which LARAC was one, that is designed to help local authorities assess their compliance with the requirements of the Waste Regulations and Waste Framework Directive. The Route Map was produced as a result of Defra going back on its stated intention of produc- ing guidance to local authorities. Whilst the decision not to produce the guidance has never been fully out- lined there is an assumption that it is a hangover from the Judicial Review that was brought against the Government on their interpretation of the Waste Framework Directive and the need to collect certain materials 'separately'. Collection systems Depending on who you listen to and what their viewpoint or business model is you could be forgiven for thinking that the whole country must adopt either a source separated or com- mingled collection system. Hasn't this debate gone on long enough? To a certain extent how the material is col- lected is irrelevant as long as it produc- es material that can be recycled. And both systems are doing that now in areas all across the UK. As with most things there are good and not so good examples of both collection systems. Local authorities will make deci- sions on the 'right' collection system for their area based on a number of criteria and factors. Given the huge dif- ferences in size, geography, economic and social factors it is no surprise that one size does not fit all. What local authorities have to do now, that perhaps was not the case previously, is to gather an evidence trail of how the decision they came to corresponds with the requirements of the Waste Regulations and Waste Framework Directive. We do not know yet how the Environment Agency intend to approach enforcing the rel- evant bits of legislation but we have to hope it is with a 'real world' approach that is sensitive to the current climate that local authorities are operating. We are already seeing local authorities start to undertake TEEP assessments when considering procurement of new contracts. Recently there has also been other tools published designed to assist local authorities in the decision making process. Whilst the Route Map really takes councils through a logical step by step approach top assessing compliance these other tools related to informa- tion and material quality can also be of use. Ultimately a local authority will agree contamination levels when they procure recycling services but having a guide can be useful early in the process and to assess what the market ideally wants. The requirements to comply with the legislation come at a time when local authorities are still managing continued year on year budget cuts and having to adapt, alter and in some cases cut services as a result. The move to start charging for garden waste col- lections, often tagged as a 'bin tax' in the press, normally means that another non waste service that a council pro- vides can continue. Close a leisure cen- tre or charge for garden waste, these are the sort of pressures that are currently being faced. This is why the wider industry needs to continue to work with local authori- ties to help them come up with appro- priate collection systems, delivering appropriate material for recycling. With a national election next year bin collections are likely to be a topic of national conversation at some point so having an industry that is seen as pro- fessional, united and part of the solu- tion rather than part of the problem can only be a good thing. All this at a time when the discus- sion is starting to move from resource management to circular economy. Whatever we call it – and the public still call it rubbish – it makes for yet more interesting times. Lee Marshall is chief executive officer at Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC). " Hasn't the source separated or commingled collection debate gone on long enough? " 6 Local Authority Waste & Recycling August 2014 I Lee Marshall

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